Summit Event Guide

Access a world of valuable travellers and grow your vacation rental business by welcoming guests who spend more, stay longer, and bring the whole family.

Attract quality guests: When you list your property on Vrbo, you can attract whole families or groups that care about who they’re with as much as where they go. They get quality time; you get quality guests.

Maximize your bookings and earning potential with revenue management made easy

• Access to MarketMaker, an exclusive tool to proactively adjust your rates with market data to drive greater revenue

• Gain a competitive edge with actionable data and insights

• Receive AI powered recommendations targeted specifically for your business

Manage your business your way with flexible solutions built exclusively for you

• Seamless connectivity integrations to manage your operations efficiently

• Stay in control of your listings through customizable policies

• Host with peace of mind: fraud detection, liability insurance, and support every step of the way

Open your door to Vrbo guests today!

THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

DEAR ATTENDEES

Welcome to the 2024 Short Stay Summit at the iconic Old Billingsgate market in the heart of London.

Organised by the UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) and The European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), this year’s Summit promises to unite the foremost stakeholders from the short-term letting industry and the broader tourism sector. Prepare for an enriching day filled with insightful speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and ample networking opportunities.

With the theme of “Embracing Innovation for Sustainable Growth”, this year’s summit aims to equip you with the tools and strategies to leverage innovation for long-term, sustainable progress. Sustainability, diversity, and community form the cornerstones of this growth across our businesses.

It’s no secret that the last year has brought challenges for the industry, but the short-term let industry is ever-evolving, and I am proud of its innovation and resilience. Staying abreast of the latest trends and regulatory developments is no longer a nice-to-have, but crucial to keep your business strong. Today and throughout the year, the STAA endeavours to facilitate sustainable growth by offering a diverse range of sessions, roundtables, workshops, and networking opportunities covering all the most important topics for your business, supporting the industry as it maximises opportunities and navigates challenges successfully.

This year’s Summit is all about “Embracing Innovation for Sustainable Growth”

Our speakers today include company founders, major executives, policymakers, and academics: all true experts in their fields who will share their knowledge and experiences to help you identify and adapt to opportunities and challenges. I encourage you to explore our lineup of sessions to acquire the skills and insights necessary to thrive in our dynamic industry, and I hope you have fruitful conversations with other attendees.

I am thrilled to welcome a diverse array of people from across the world, fostering an environment of mutual learning and inspiration at the Short Stay Summit. I hope you enjoy your day and look forward to meeting you at one of the stands!

Yours,

Andy Fenner, STAA, CEO

sponsoredWifiby Username: Lodgify - Automate Your STR Password No1Lodgify!

SERVICES DIRECTORY

ACCREDITATIONS

ADVANCED

AI MESSAGING PLATFORM

AI

ASSOCIATIONS

Holiday Home Association

AUTOMATION SOFTWARE

Pickups

BOOK KEEPING SERVICES

LOCKS AND ACCESS

Access2 (Locks)

Cirtec Group/StaySecure (Security/ Access Control)

RemoteLock (Locks)

Nuki (Smart Locks)

Operto (Smart Locks)

LUGGAGE SOLUTIONS

Stasher MARKETING

Boostly (Marketing - Book Direct Specialist)

Homes & Villas by Marriott VacayMyWay

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

AJL Atelier

MORTGAGES

Holiday Home Mortgages

ONLINE CHECKIN

Chekin

OPERATIONS PLATFORMS

Breezeway Dharma Operto

CHANNEL MANAGERS

BOOKING PLATFORM

Trusted Stays (Corporate & Government Booking Platform)

DATA

Airdna

Key Data Dashboard

DIGITAL GUEST BOOKS

Breezeway

Charge Automation

Hostfully Operto

TouchStay

Xplorie

FINANCE

Holiday Home Mortgages

GUEST AIRPORT PICKUPS

Welcome Pickups

GUEST MESSAGING SOFTWARE

Breezeway

Besty AI

HostAI

HOLIDAY RENTAL AGENCIES

Awaze (Property)

Sykes (Cottages)

INSURANCE AND GUEST PROTECTION SERVICES

Pikl (Insurance)

Safely (Insurance)

SuperHog (Protection & Guest Screening)

KEY HANDLING

Keynest

LINEN & TOWELS

Airlinen (Linen and Towel Hire)

LaundryHeap (Hotel Grade Linen & Towels)

OTA’S Airbnb

Booking.com

Holidu

HomeToGo

Homes & Villas by Marriott VacayMyWay Vrbo

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

FlatAway Hospiria

Sykes

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

365Villas

Awaze

Guesty

Hostify Hostfully Houst

Lodgify

Octorate Operto

RentalWise

ResNexus (Cloud Based)

REVENUE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Beyond Wheelhouse PriceLabs

SmartPricing

PROPERTY SECURITY & MONITORING

Alertify (Room Monitoring)

Cirtec Group/StaySecure (Security)

Nuki (Smart Locks)

Minut (Property Monitors & Protection)

Chekin (Deposit & Damage Protection Plans)

STAFFING SERVICES

Extenteam

SUBSCRIPTION LIVING

FlatAway

SUSTAINABILITY

QIAS

Tanki

TOILET ROLLS

Tanki

WEBSITE BUILDER

Lodgify

MAIN STAGE

Thriving Amidst Challenges

Unveil the invincible spirit of the short-term rental realm as it conquers global challenges. Join us for a captivating fireside chat where resilience takes centre stage whether dealing with pandemics or mastering the art of adaptation to ever-evolving regulations.

Short

11:00 – 11:40

Investor Interest & Capital Influx

market

In recent years, the short-term rental industry has garnered significant attention from investors, particularly from the private equity and venture capital sectors. This influx of capital is fuelling various forms of growth such as innovation, consolidations, and a stronger focus on improving the overall ecosystem.

11:40 – 12:00 20 min break - Networking and Exhibitor Hall

12:00 – 12:30

Evolution of Travel Shifts and Behaviour

Travellers are ever-changing, and their evolution is a game-changer for the industry. The rise of remote work has led to a demand for longer stays, with guests now seeking unique and personalized experiences. Keeping up with and adapting to these changes is crucial for success.

Moderator

Simon Lehmann, CEO, AJL Atelier Speakers

Marcus Rader, CEO and Co-founder, Hostaway

Graham Donoghue, CEO, Sykes Cottages

Henrik Kjellberg, CEO, Awaze

Bodo Thielmann, Chief Investment Director, HomeToGo

Daniel Williamson, MD, CVC Capital

Moderator

James Cassidy, Sr. Director, Partner Success, Vrbo, Expedia Group Speaker

Ayleen Lehmann, Teenage Trailblazer

12:35 – 13:15

Five Business Benefits From Sustainability Marketing and Communication

Travellers today prioritize eco-friendly accommodations, and hosts are expected to adopt sustainable practices. Meeting this demand is a necessity for the future of the industry.

Learn how to design sustainable experiences in your STR to reduce operating costs, increase satisfaction, reduce seasonality, increase repeat visitation, and get first time sales. Without jargon and save the planet messages.

13:15 – 14:30 Lunch

Moderator

Dr. Xavier Font, Professor at University of Surrey, Editor in Chief, Journal of Sustainable Tourism

14:30 – 15:00

Hospitality at Scale: Balancing Growth and Personalization

As short-term rental businesses expand, long-term viability is dependent on maintaining a foundation of hospitality. This session brings together leading experts to discuss how to deliver personalized and exceptional experiences – ensuring guest satisfaction and fostering repeat bookings – while doing business at scale.

15:05 – 15:45

Hype or Reality: Will Much Vaunted Tech Revolutionize STR Anytime Soon?

Do any of the latest hyped quantum leaps in technology really have any immediate or medium-term application for the STR sector? Everyone’s got a view on the umpteenth edition of ChatGTP, the Apple Vision Pro launch, driverless taxis (and heli-taxis!)…until you ask them of a use case (or even if they’ve tested these themselves)! Our panel of experts will explain what the latest white-hot tech trends debated in the news really mean for our sector, filtering the hype from reality to help you prepare.

Moderator

Julia Lane Willis Napolski, Principal, Parlay Vous Speakers

Matthew Loney, CEO, Xplorie

Alexander Limpert, CEO, RentalReady & GuestReady

Francesco Zorgno, CEO & Co-founder, CleanBnB

Moderator

Roman Townsend, Managing Director, Belvera Partners

Speakers

Jeremy Gall, CEO, Breezeway

Steve Davis, CEO, Operto

Vered Raviv-Schwarz, President & COO, Guesty

15:45 – 16:00

16:00 – 16:30

16:35 – 17:05

15 mins break – Networking and Exhibitor Hall

The STR’s Evolving Business Models

Uncover the intricacies of diverse business structures and unit economics that define the landscape, ranging from short stays and mid-term accommodations to innovative concepts like coliving, micro-living, student housing, and coworking.

The panel will delve into the dynamic intersection of hospitality, multifamily living, and coworking spaces, showcasing the versatility and adaptability required in today’s real estate market. The panel of industry experts will share their insights on managing real estate assets across various spectrums, encompassing property management, property development, and construction.

The Strategic Value of OTAs: A Discussion with Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia

Moderator

Kulin Strimbu, Global Director, Phocuswright Speakers

Sylvia Epaillard, Co-CEO & Chief Commercial and Digital Officer, Interhome Group

Francesco Morgante, Head of Sales & Distribution, Joivy

Brendan Geraghty, CEO, UKAA

Merilee Karr, Outgoing Chair, STAA and Founder and CEO, UnderTheDoormat Group

17:10 – 17:20

17:20 - 18:30

Closing Remarks

Drinks Reception immediately following closing

Moderator

Merilee Karr, Outgoing Chair, STAA and Founder and CEO, UnderTheDoormat Group Speakers

Tim Rosolio, VP, Partner Success Vacation Rentals, Expedia Group

Amanda Cupples, GM for Northern Europe, Airbnb

Flavio Leoni, Regional Director, Global Accounts EMEA, Booking.com

WORKSHOP STAGE

11:40 – 12:20

Bird Panel

Beds and Breakfast: Insights to Boost Your Earnings in 2024

Grab a coffee and a croissant and join this early bird session with Graham Donoghue, Sykes Holiday Cottages, and James Kinnersly, AirDNA, to discover how much more you can earn by looking out for seasonal spikes, pricing for key events, and reading the data on what makes a successful holiday let.

12:25 – 13:15

Safety Unveiled: Insights and Strategies for Short-Term Rentals

Elevating Safety Standards in Short-Term Rentals

Join Justin Ford, Breezeway’s Head of Safety & Certifications, as he highlights the crucial role of safety in our industry through real-world examples of incidents in short-term rentals. Acquire essential knowledge for conducting comprehensive safety inspections, explore effective methods to leverage software tools for a more streamlined and enhanced inspection process, and gain insights on establishing a robust safety program at your rental agency.

Regulatory Landscape

Navigating the regulatory landscape presents both opportunities and obstacles, with some areas embracing short-term rentals while others face challenges such as zoning laws and taxes. Successfully navigating the complex regulatory environment is crucial for stakeholders. What are the potential impacts to our industry with upcoming elections?

Revenue Management

How to Predict and Work Hard for Demand

In our ever-evolving STR landscape, optimising revenue is a critical aspect of success. Join some of our industry experts as they share some of the intracicies and effective strategies of rev management. Don’t miss the chance to gain practical insights that can elevate your revenue management practices.

Moderator

Justin Ford, Breezeway Director, Short-Term Rental Safety & Certification Programs

Speakers

Humphry Bowles, CEO, Superhog

Danielle Prior, Head of Hospitality Growth Operations, AltoVita

Moderator

Viktorija Molnar, Acting Secretary General, EHHA

Speakers

Eduardo Miranda, President of ALEP, the Portuguese STR Association and chairman of EHHA

Manuel Lozano, Founder, APAR – Vacation Rental

Professional Association, Mexico

Matt Curtis, Founder, Smart City Policy Group

Andy Fenner, CEO, STAA

Moderator

John An, Founder & CEO, TechTape

Speakers

Andrew Ozigi, CEO / Founder Home.ly

Siana Vesselinova, Solutions Consultant, Pricelabs

James Begley, VP Sales, Lodgify

Charlie Gibbons, UK Country Lead and Revenue Management Advisor, Beyond

Policy

What next with government regulation of Short-Term Lets?

14:00 – 14:30 Lunch

14:30 – 15:05

Future-Proofing Your Business

In our rapidly growing and evolving business environment, maintaining a proactive stance is essential for sustained success. Our panellists will share their strategies and approaches, emphasizing the importance of adjusting to emerging trends, adopting new technologies, and addressing ongoing challenges. These insights are geared towards ensuring competitiveness and resilience with our sector.

Speakers

Fiona MacConnacher, Public Affairs Manager, Booking.com

Charlie Reith, UK & Ireland Gov’t Affairs, Expedia Group

Carl Thomson, Public Policy Manager, Airbnb

Moderator

Julie George, Million Dollar Host

Speakers

Dave Payette, Founder & CEO, 365Villas

Veronica Rivas, Director, Business Development, Homes & Villas by Marriott International,

Chavdar Marinov, CEO & Founder, Hostify

Dainela Derin, Co-Founder, Skol Apartments

Marbella Holidays

15:10 – 15:40

Understanding the Booking Dynamics

Successfully managing Direct and OTA bookings demands a tailored approach to your business, come see why one-size-fits-all may not be an effective strategy and how you need to balance the load.

15:45 – 16:30

Profit with a Purpose:

How STR companies can balance People, Planet, Profit to drive a Purpose led, sustainable approach to growth. The panel will explore the key components, methods and best practice in balancing the triple bottom line. Why it matters and how you measure.

Moderator

Mark Simpson, Founder, Boostly

Speakers

Rebecca Cribbin, Founder & CEO, Holiday Rental Experts

Rose Tipka, Founder & CEO, Your Family’s Place

Laura Muse, Founder, Muse Escapes

Moderator

Dr. Xavier Font, Professor at University of Surrey, Editor in Chief, Journal of Sustainable Tourism

Speakers

Graham Donoghue, CEO, Sykes Cottages

Dale Smith, CEO, Host & Stay

Janet Uttley, Head of Industry Development, VisitEngland

17:10 – 17:20

17:20 - 18:30

Closing Remarks (on the Main Stage)

Drinks Reception immediately following closing

CEO ROUND TABLE

TIME TOPIC TITLE AND INFO HOSTS

09:15 - 09:45 HR – Diversity and Inclusion

Join us for an interactive discussion where we can collaborate and share some best practices, offer insights to help foster a more inclusive culture.

10:40 – 11:25 Franchise

It’s not just for burgers.

Come and speak to the iTrip team about how franchising works for operators

12:00 – 12:45 Have questions about Payments in relation to:

• Guest experience

• Automation

• Regulations

• Want to know how to increase your revenue?

Avantio and Planet will be on hand to share their insights

12:50 – 13:35 How to PR and Market your STR business

ASK THE EXPERT

14:00 – 14:45 AirDNA Academy on the Road

Got questions about market dynamics, competitor analysis, or how to nail your pricing strategy?

Join us for this interactive session to learn how to turn AirDNA data into actionable insights and propel your short-term rental business forward

Host

Mark Brown, Human Resources Professional

Hosts

Vickie Storm, GM / CEO, iTtrip

Scott Leggat, Director – Government Affairs & Advocacy

Inhabit IQ & VRMA Board Member

Hosts

Christopher Dillon, Head of Business Development UK and Ireland, Avantio

Lennert De Jong, President Hospitality, Planet

Hosts

Mark Simpson, Founder, Boostly

Neil Millard, Managing Director, Abode Worldwide

Amy Deverson, PR Account Manager, Abode Worldwide

Host

Tom Williams, Customer Advocate Manager, AirDNA

15:00 – 15:45

Where AI Meets Hospitality

Host

Clive Titmuss, Founder, HelloHosty

ASK THE EXPERT

Pop up and ask your burning questions. This is a free flow session so you can stay for the whole time, or just come along within the time slot and ask your questions and go.

EVENT NOTICE BOARD

Wifi sponsored by Username: Lodgify - Automate Your STR

Password No1Lodgify!

HYDRATION STATION

Refill your bottles with London’s finest drinking water

Competition

Win a year’s supply of the most sustainable toilet roll. Sustainable Toilet Roll take over –check out the Tanki Loo Roll in the toilets – take a moment to ponder how much glue your STR flush down the loo?!

Pop past for some yummy popcorn at the safely stand

Gin Bar 12:00 – 18:30 *please drink responsibly

Coffee Bar 08:30 – 17:30

Coffee, Soft Drinks, Pastries and Fruit

EVENT NOTICE BOARD

The SuperHogging Honesty Bar

All your generous donations for the items you take go to the Charity.

Sponsored by

FOOD MARKET

GREAT BRITISH BREAKFAST

09:30 – 11:00

BREAKFAST TOASTED BRIOCHE BUN SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF FILLINGS

(Served with a choice of: Sussex Back Bacon, Free Range Fried Egg, Breakfast Sausage, Grilled Mushrooms, Grilled Halloumi, Hash Brown)

Just what you need after the Shortyz!

Food Market dietary requirements

catered for: Vegetarian, Vegan , Gluten free, Dairy free, Halal

LUNCH 11:00 – 15:00

LIL WATAN (LEBANESE)

(Dietary requirements: Vegetarian, Vegan , Gluten free, Dairy free, Halal)

Sample Menu

Chicken Shish Marinated grilled chicken, on a light garlic sauce base, light chilli sauce, lettuce tomato and pickles

Lamb Kafta Minced lamb meat, mixed with parsley, herbs and spices, then skewered and chargrilled, on a hummus base, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce

Halloumi Wrap Grilled or fried halloumi, on a light garlic sauce base, light chilli sauce, lettuce tomato and pickles

Water and Soft Drinks

OFFBEAT BBQ

(Dietary requirements: Vegetarian, Gluten free, Dairy free)

Smoked BBQ wrapped in fresh naan breads

Applewood Smoked Pork Belly & Crackling

Ginger Lime & Soy BBQ Chicken

Honey & Thyme Grilled Halloumi

(Served with: an Asian Inspired Cabbage, Carrot & Sesame Slaw, Pineapple-ChilliCoriander Salsa, Pink Onion & Sriracha Mayo in a Fresh Toasted Handmade Naan)

Water and Soft Drinks

Comprehensive Functionality

High-end Features

A Modern Interface

Purpose-built for Any Device

Excellent Free Onboarding

5-Star Customer Support

Winning Unique Selling Points

www.airbnb.co.uk

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed 1.4 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

Europe’s leading managed vacation rentals group

Help families get away together, often for the first time ever.

We're here for children who've never seen the sea, teenagers who haven't seen their mum smile in a while. For stressed-out carers, mums and dads struggling with some of life's more difficult challenges.

Your support means families facing tough times make memories and feel confidence and hope for the future.

Automate tasks and reduce workload

Optimise pricing to increase occupancy

Request a demo

Drive direct bookings

Protect properties from damages

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· Seamlessly and instantly sync calendars, rates, and reservations with Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Vrbo

· Receive free, personalized onboarding sessions with a dedicated agent

· Enjoy task management, guest app, unified inbox, mobile app, and much more!

Solve 94% of noise issues within 15 minutes

Trusted by 40,000+ hosts and property managers in 100+ countries worldwide

Find out more at minut.com

Cleaning & maintenance automated.

How we help:

Automated staff schedules

Customizable checklists per property

Real-time progress tracking

Laundry and linen forecasting

Maintenance issue tracking

Customizable owner visibility teams

Come by booth #33 to optimize your cleaning & maintenance! Mention this ad to receive 25% off your first 3 months.

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The UK Short Term Accommodation

Association is the trade association for short-term rentals in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to tackle common industry challenges and seize shared opportunities.

Industry advice – learn more about the issues affecting your business.

Networking – meet fellow people from your industry and beyond.

Best practice – how to improve your business and increase profitability.

www.ukstaa.org / enquiries@ukstaa.org

24/7 “On Holiday” support

Our friendly UK team are here to help, in case of any emergency.

We have won the British Travel Awards for 10 years running.

Flexible payment options for peace of mind.

Individuals or businesses hosting and/or managing up to 5 properties.

Companies facilitating bookings or managing short-term rentals from 6 properties upwards.

Companies selling to or providing services for the short-term rental sector.

Vacation Rentals, Vacation Rentals, Simplified Simplified

A refreshing new

A refreshing new way to Vacay. way to Vacay.

Access a world of valuable travellers and grow your vacation rental business by welcoming guests who spend more, stay longer, and bring the whole family.

Attract quality guests: When you list your property on Vrbo, you can attract whole families or groups that care about who they’re with as much as where they go. They get quality time; you get quality guests.

Maximize your bookings and earning potential with revenue management made easy

• Access to MarketMaker, an exclusive tool to proactively adjust your rates with market data to drive greater revenue

• Gain a competitive edge with actionable data and insights

• Receive AI powered recommendations targeted specifically for your business

Manage your business your way with flexible solutions built exclusively for you

• Seamless connectivity integrations to manage your operations efficiently

• Stay in control of your listings through customizable policies

• Host with peace of mind: fraud detection, liability insurance, and support every step of the way

Open your door to Vrbo guests today!

2 years’ membership for the price of 1 Email enquiries@ukstaa.org quoting ‘Summit24’.

We advocate on behalf of hosts and property managers by engaging with policymakers, government agencies and other stakeholders. We campaign on regulatory, legal and planning matters all over the UK.

There are huge regional variations creating massive challenges for all of our members.

Please show your support for our industry and the communities we work in by encouraging policymakers to recognise the sector’s contribution – become a member today.

We offer membership to short-term rental hosts, businesses and companies supplying the industry.

We have called for a light-touch registration scheme in England and now that the Government is finally implementing this initiative, we are working extremely closely with officials on the design of the scheme to ensure that it will be low-cost, easy to use, and increase trust in the industry. Become an

www.ukstaa.org

info@ukstaa.org

Our efforts have resulted in protecting the sector throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, securing important concessions from the Scottish Government in the design of the short-term lets licensing scheme, and ensuring that licensing in Wales will present minimal burdens to our operators.